At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two factions of the Awami League in Bagha upazila of Rajshahi on Saturday.
Among the injured are Bagha Municipality Mayor Akkas Ali, Bagha Upazila AL General Secretary Ashraful Islam Bablu, Ardani Union Chairman Rafiqul Islam, and former Vice Chairman Shafiur Rahman Shafi.
Bablu and another individual were later shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for better treatment.
According to the witnesses, local Awami League leaders and the supporters of local MP Shahriar Alam formed a human chain protesting alleged irregularities, and nepotism involving Bagha Municipality Mayor Akkas Ali, who is also a member of the district Awami League committee.
The defeated Upazila Parishad Chairman Rokonuzzaman Rintu and Bagha Awami League's General Secretary Ashraful Islam Bablu led the protest programme.
Another group of local AL called a protest procession and rally protesting the extra money collected in the name of ‘Dalik Lekhak Samity’ of Bagha Sub-Register Office.
The procession was brought out from in front of the municipality led by Akkas.
The two sides clashed when the procession crossed the human chain of another group. Several crude bombs were exploded during the clash. Police fired 50 rounds of tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.
Additional Superintendent of Police in Rajshahi Rafiqul Alam said the clash broke out during two programmes.
Police fired tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. Now the situation is under control. Police have been deployed in the area
Legal action will be taken if complaints are received, he said.
NY/RH
